We’ve got another big announcement for today, we’ve written a guidebook!

We know that Britain can be an expensive place to travel. After nearly 10 trips to Britain in the past decade, we’ve seen it all. That said, we’ve gathered quite a bit of knowledge over the past few years on how to travel on a Budget.

We’ve taken than knowledge and packaged it into a new guidebook called 101 Budget Britain Travel Tips.

It’s an instant download that you can take with you anywhere. It features some knowledge that we haven’t seen in the guidebooks to help you plan and enjoy a trip to Britain on a budget.

For a limited time you can get it for just $10 but act fast – the price will be going to to $20 in the near future!

Interested?

Find out more here!

We’ve Written a Guidebook! 101 Budget Britain Travel Tips – Download Now! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

We are collaborating on a contest to give away this awesome prize to one lucky winner to celebrate the opening of the film. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. This awesome prize pack includes:

One (1) winner will receive:

·         T-Shirt

·         Voice Recorder Pen

·         Post-it Note Cube

·         Movie Tie-in Book

·         Soundtrack

·         Luxury Chess Set

Prizing values: $85.00

Giveaway provided by Focus Features

The film opens nation wide on January 6th. The film is based on the bestselling novel by John le Carré. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy stars, Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Dencik, Colin Firth, Stephen Graham, Tom Hardy, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Mark Strong. The film is sure to be a hit. If you would like to learn more about the film or see where it is playing near you, check out their website. You can also follow the film on Facebook.

If you would like to enter the contest please leave a comment telling us what your favorite spy film is and you will automatically be entered to win this cool prize pack.

Anglophile Contest: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Giveaway! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

This is so awesome – it’s an instant buy for the Anglotopia offices.

From the designer:

The word map is made using selected text that has a certain relationship to its particular geographic location. The words used range from regional specialities to historical fact, from local celebrities to indigenous species.

Stereotypes, clichés and typecasts help to build an archetypical map of text to chart the infinitely diverse character of the British Isles. Snowhome has worked closely with former employee, friend and illustrator Alison Hardcastle, her typographic skills have turned jumbled lists of words into a lovingly hand drawn map which is as full of personality as the landscape that it covers.

You can buy one here.

Cool Product: Britain Map Made of Words is a post from: Anglotopia.net

At IndependentBoutique.com, we solely sell fashion and accessories from British-based designers. In a recent series of interviews we carried out with our designers, we asked; what makes fashion designed or made Britain, British? We wanted to understand what gave British design its appeal. Fortunately we have in excess of eighty British fashion and accessories designers on our website, most of which were keen to give us their views on the matter, below are some of their responses. We asked them to describe what they do and how they categorise “British” fashion. They tended to describe British design as “bold”, “daring”, “innovative”, “quirky” and “eccentric”, but were reluctant to pin the style down as having a particular look. British bag designer Heidi Mottram, describes British design as that which shows “global appeal”, when we delve a little deeper into the interview answers, it is heritage and the influence of multi-culture which seems key to making British fashion stand out on a global stage.

There is no doubt Britain’s history has done much to shape the modern UK fashion landscape. Without the legacy of the British Empire, whose colonies once covered close to a quarter of the Earth, Britain would have never enjoyed periods of prosperity through trade. Most notably the trade of exquisite world fabrics and all things shiny passing through London from the 17th to 19th centuries, spurred a demand for refined apparel and jewellery. Driven initially by royals and the land owning elite, tailored and designer clothing became both a requisite of the upper classes and something to aspire to for everybody else, we can see hints of today with in the coverage given to what is worn by Kate Middleton and the new high profile elite, celebrities. During this period of Empire, London became a hub not just for trade, but a centre for world artists and scholars, which saw the creation of world-class institutions. Carmen Woods, British leather bag designer, said in her interview the “quality of British fashion schools” is helped by having “great museums and art galleries to use as reference points”.  A sentiment shared by British fashion designer Irena Lane, who identified the “melting pot of cultures, art and music movements” as key to keeping British designers’ ideas “fresh and vibrant”.

It comes as no surprise to find a large number of globally respected fashion colleges in the UK, particularly in cities like London where the arts and academia attracted people from throughout the world. Central St Martin’s college in London, was identified by Fashionista Magazine of New York as the world’s top fashion school in 2010, the college’s graduates include Stella McCartney, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Paul Smith to name but a few. At these institutions designers can develop under the nurture and guidance of those established within the industry. Catherine Marche, French born, UK -based jewellery designer believes that British fashion schools create “daring people eager to push boundaries” and that confidence creates “a love story between the public and the designers; each inspires the other”.

The British public, the context in which these designers create, must be also pivotal in characterising British fashion. Elliot Rhodes, prolific belt designer, summed it up quite nicely by saying “the UK is a permissive society that allows people to experiment with their ideas”. Bronwyn Lowenthal of UK ethical fashion brand “Lowie”, moved to the UK from Australia and she believes that this openness means the British “embrace ‘new’ fashions more readily than any other country”, which keeps the British fashion scene at the forefront of trends. So whilst the designers are allowed to experiment and the public are keen to embrace new styles, Peony and Moore UK handbag designers, believe that the real key to success for British fashion, is that UK designers “bridge the gap between pushing the boundaries, with eccentric style on the catwalk, and implementing commercial designs which people want to buy”.

Elliot Rhodes reasons in his interview that “we harness the past and reinvent it for the present effectively”. This rich history serves British designers; much like an extensive and well rehearsed repertoire serves a musician. The old classics can be pulled out and re-engineered when needed; the strengths of past hits can be built upon, and when new instruments and genres come about, the British are well equipped and eager re-invent themselves in order to embrace new methods and styles. To carry on the comparison of designers and musicians, the audience of a musician is just as important; the successful artist understands what his crowd wants and what makes them respond: as the crowd evolves so must the artist. With exceptional musicians, it is they who evolve without alienating their audience and it is the crowd who catches up.

If there is one answer that summed up the interview responses, it was an answer given by handbag designer Lucy Clayphan of Peony and Moore “we mix and match from different cultures better than anyone else in the world, seamlessly!” as if the history of interaction with different cultures has become a current advantage. She concludes that “it also helps that the British are fashion junkies which means we have “fast” fashion on the shoulders of established brands!”  This heritage and cultural hunger is difficult to emulate or even fully characterise, yet it is what UK-based designers believe sets them apart from global competition.

Simon Prato-Scarlett, Business Development Director – Independent Boutique Ltd

Guest Post: A Brief Guide to Current British Fashion Trends is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Just about everyone has heard of luxury skin care brands for women but did you know that men’s skincare products are quickly growing?  Bulldog Natural Skincare, is one of those brands. From lush shaving products to moisturizers, this line carries it all. This brand has been an huge hit with men on both sides of the Atlantic. Skincare isn’t just for girls anymore.

What makes this line so appealing is that it is made 100% of natural ingredients, you’ll never find synthetic chemicals in this skincare line. They also  have a wonderful transparency policy, so you know exactly what goes into making this awesome product. Most importantly, they do not test any of their products on animals.  It just goes to show how social and environmental responsibly can help produce an amazing product.

The Bulldog Skincare line includes; an after shave balm, shave gel, moisturizer, face wash and a face scrub. For a man who has never used a skin care regiment before this can sound like a bit much, however there are directions on the back of every package telling you how to use them. As a man, I was a little skeptical about using skincare but my lovely wife encouraged me to try it.

One of the first things I noticed about the products is the smell. They have very light and masculine scent, that is really pleasing. My wife commented how nice I smelled after using the products. I used the moisturizer first. I followed the directions and used it in the morning and the evening. I soon noticed, as did my wife, how much smoother and softer my skin was. Again, I was skeptical about using skincare, but seeing how much my wife and I enjoyed the results, I continued to use it.

One of the real stars of this product line is the shave gel. It works up into a rich luxurious lather. After shaving with the shave gel, I felt like I had gotten a shave at my local barber. My skin felt soft and moisturized afterward, not the normal dried out feeling.  I followed up with the after shave balm.  It did not burn like most aftershave products. My wife went nuts for the scent.

Bulldog Skincare also includes a face wash and a face scrub. They aren’t the same thing. The facial wash is for daily use, to remove excess oil and dirt from your face. It recommends using it in the morning and night and to follow it up with the moisturizer.  The facial scrub is used to get a deeper clean and take off dead skin and clean the pores. The scrub should only  be used 2-3 times a week at most. Both products were awesome, I noticed less outbreaks and less oil on my skin within days of use.

I am not the type of guy who would normally use a skincare line, but I guess it’s time for me to get with the program because, Bulldog Natural Skincare is awesome. I really liked the luxurious products and the wife noticed the difference in my skin too. I tried the product out and now I am a believer. If you are looking for good product line to get the man in your life, this is the one to choose. It was easy to use and would make a wonderful gift for the man in your life.

Brit Review: Bull Dog Natural Skin Care – British Skin Care Products for Men is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Medium Wooden BackgammonThis classic game of Backgammon has been embellished with beautiful wood mosaic inlays designed and finished exquisitely on a walnut wood frame. The wood inlays consist of walnut, lemon, and particularly rosewoods that distinguish it from other Mosaic Backgammon designs.

Rosetta Stone sheer silk scarfThis lovely sheer scarf has a printed design based on the famous text and hieroglyphs on the Rosetta Stone. The text is highlighted in grey and silver tones.The Rosetta Stone has been housed at the British Museum since 1802, and is one of the Museum’s best known exhibits. It was discovered in 1799, by which time all knowledge of the Ancient Egyptian language and writing had been lost for over 1,000 years; however, the Stone’s inscription helped scholars to decipher the two Egyptian scripts ‐ one written with hieroglyphs and one in the cursive demotic script ‐ from the Greek section at the bottom.

Treasures of the British MuseumThe British Museum is the most magnificent treasure-house in the world. The wealth and range of its collections is unequalled by any other national museum. The Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, drawings by Botticelli and Michelangelo, Assyrian reliefs, the Lewis Chessmen and the Sutton Hoo treasure are all to be found there. Treasures of the British Museum delights readers with the intriguing stories behind these treasures and many more. This timely new edition brings the story right up to date, with chapters on important acquisitions made by the Museum in the last fifteen years, including the Warren Cup and the ‘Queen of the Night’. A beautiful redesign incorporating all new full colour photography throughout gives this classic volume a fresh new look.

Write Your Own Egyptian HieroglyphsThe Egyptian hieroglyphic script is one of the most beautiful, fascinating and expressive writing systems ever invented. In Ancient Egypt, only an elite few could read and write hieroglyphs, but now you too can read and write a selection of names, titles, descriptions, sayings, greetings – even insults! For the Egyptians, nothing could exist without a name – names held the spark of life. Hieroglyphs offer a flexible, subtle and powerful way to write not just the sound of a name but its meaning and essence. The book describes how the Egyptians composed names for the elements of their world and shows you, with practical guides, how to create names (and greetings and complaints and insults!) in hieroglyphs for yourself, your friends, your pets – even your house. There are step-by-step tips on how to draw some of the trickier signs, or you can copy or trace the hieroglyphs from the book. In the words of one Egyptian papyrus, ‘By day write with your fingers, recite by night. Befriend the sc

Fuji Wave PuzzleThis 520 piece jigsaw puzzle features the iconic ‘Great Wave off Kanagawa’ design by Katsushika Hokusai from around AD 1829-33.This is perhaps the single most famous of Hokusai’s woodblock prints – perhaps of all Japanese prints, and belongs to the series ‘Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji’. This monumental series was the first to exploit the new chemical Berlin blue pigment, which had recently become cheaply available from China. It provided Hokusai with a strong blue for both sky and water and had the added advantage that it did not fade. Hokusai’s series was so commercially successful that the publisher, Nishimuraya Eijudō, extended it with another ten prints, printed this time with black instead of blue outlines.

Union Jack ceramic cufflinksThese simple and classic cufflinks feature a grey Union Jack design on a ceramic square made of the finest white clay.The cufflinks are from a collection of London designs which also feature photographic images of iconic London buildings and sights.

Premium Lewis Chess SetThis premium Lewis Chess set has a high quality wooden board, and is an authentic replica of one of the British Museum’s most iconic pieces.The remarkable chess pieces were found in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides. No exact account of the discovery remains, but they apparently came to light after the collapse of a sand-bank on the coast of the island revealed their hiding place to a passing islander. 93 pieces from the hoard are known today. They are all carved from walrus ivory and include a belt buckle and some plain draughtsmen as well as the 78 chessmen. They date from the mid to late 12th century, and the style of carving, especially the intricate interlocking animal and floral designs on the thrones of the seated figures, indicate that they are of Scandinavian workmanship; however, their exact origin is not certain and they may have been made in Britain by a craftsman skilled in this style of Viking art. The British Museum bought 67 of the chessmen towards the end of 1831.

Silver Spoon Bird necklaceThis beautiful collection has been inspired by antique and vintage jewellery and patterns, in particular silverware from the late 1800s and early 1900s.The body of this precious bird was inspired by combining parts of vintage spoons. The body is made from the bowl of a teaspoon and its delicate wings and tail were taken from the ends of demitasse spoons.

Ex Libris: The Art of BookplatesA delightfully attractive book presenting the bookplate � a neglected art form that has nevertheless been practised by leading artists of their generation, from Albrecht D�rer to Edward Burne-Jones.A bookplate, or Ex Libris, is a small print for pasting inside the cover of a book to express ownership. The first books were highly valuable and prestigious objects to own, hence the first bookplates usually incorporated the decorative coats of arms of the fabulously wealthy. By the late nineteenth century, bookplates had developed into a highly imaginative form of the engraver�s and printmaker�s art in miniature.This delightful book showcases bookplates drawn from the rich collections of the British Museum, including works created by some of the most talented artists of their day, such as Albrecht D�rer, Edward Burne-Jones, Aubrey Beardsley and Eric Gill. Equally it shows how the content of bookplates has evolved over the years to feature a vast range of allegory and symbolism � often incorporating a pun on the owner�s name � uniquely relevant to that individual. For example, the bookplate for a professor of Sanskrit features Hindu imagery, while a Venetian publisher is associated with a lion, the symbol of his city.Endlessly diverse, surprising and touching, this is a book that will be treasured by art-lovers and book-lovers alike. The author Martin Hopkinson was curator of prints at the Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, from 1977 to 1997. He is now a freelance art critic and writer; his publications include Italian Prints 1875�1975 (BMP, 2007).

Rosetta Stone mousematA unique, shaped mousemat based on the Rosetta Stone, one of the key exhibits in the British Museum. Wipe clean polycarbonate surface, non-slip base.

British Museum travel sweetsA selection of traditional fruit travel sweets in this bright British Museum tin.

Best Christmas Gifts from the British Museum Shop is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Doctor Who: Customized Sonic Screwdriver Interchangeable parts let you switch lights, sound effects and functions, including the Eleventh Doctor’s extendable claw. More than 80 possible combinations!

Mind the Gap Doormat Our best-selling mat,  now in traditional,  rectangular shape! In London, Britain’s most familiar warning alerts you to the gap between the station platform and the Underground train. At your front door, it puts a smile on your face while removing dirt and dust from your shoes.

‘I am The Stig’ T-shirtA Shop Exclusive! Every time you wear your smart, short-sleeve shirt, you’ll win praise and admiration for your internationally famous test-driving and celebrity-training skills. Classic “I am The Stig” t-shirt. Simple and understated. Wear it and swear your allegiance to all things Top Gear .  Made by American Apparel – Please check size chart below. Men’s sizes are expected back in stock on 11/29/11.

The Tudors: The Complete SeriesOwn all 38 steamy episodes in all four seasons of the acclaimed Showtime series about the ribald life and loves of King Henry VIII. You’ll feel like a privileged court guest as you weave your way through bodice-ripping escapades and stealthy court intrigues. Jonathan Rhys Meyers gives a lusty performance as the king, from the bedding, beheading, divorce and loss of his first five queens, to his surprisingly successful final marriage. Filmed on location in Ireland.

Doctor Who: Desktop Patrol DalekPatrols your desktop for hours, never falling off or bumping into anything! At each and every turn, the Dalek says “Exterminate”!

BBC Long-Sleeve T-ShirtClassy and sleek. Traditional and contemporary. Entertaining, informing and inspiring. Your BBC T-shirt says a lot about you and what you like, and fit in well wherever you go.

Doctor Who: TARDIS PlaysetThis TARDIS Play set is a reproduction of the console room of the new Eleventh Doctor’s time machine. This will make any adventure with your 5″ action figures come to life!

Union Jack Tea Cozy, Teat Towel and Apron Set Showing your British affections is easy when you surround your teapot or yourself in this charming design from Ulster Weavers of Northern Ireland, supplier of kitchen textiles to Queen Elizabeth II.

Made in England Mug and Tea Towel Set Sip your favorite warm brew in a contemporary mug of fine bone china, made in Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England-the historical heart of English pottery. Then tidy up in style with a stunning tea towel inspired by backstamps, the marks that have identified Staffordshire potters since the 18th century.

The World of Downton Abbey Companion Book New insights and fascinating facts about the spellbinding series add to your pleasure in this lavishly illustrated book, packed with details about the story, characters and changing times of the Crawley family and servants.

Gavin & Stacey: The Complete Collection Rivaled in popularity only by the new royal couple, Gavin (Mathew Horne) and Stacy (Joanna Page) prove that England and Wales are not as close as they appear. The duo soon discovers happiness is a rocky road, thanks to the peculiar personalities of their families and friends. Winner of dozens of awards, including a BAFTA® Audience Award for Program of the Year. Written by and also starring Ruth Jones ( Little Britain ) and James Corden ( The History Boys ). As seen on BBC America.

William & Catherine: Their Story Lavishly illustrated with color photographs, both a chronicle and a lasting memento of a day to remember, William & Catherine brings us both the public spectacle and the private moments as only the author of Diana: Her True Story can reveal them.

Christmas: Top Anglophile Gifts from the BBC America Shop! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Are words like Dalek, TARDIS and The Doctor, common vocabulary in your home? Chances are that you have a major Doctor Who, fan  in your house! So with the holidays right around the corner, what are you going to get that very special Doctor Who, fan? Well if you aren’t sure, take a look at our ultimate Doctor Who, guide. There is sure to be something that is just perfect for that special person in your life. Happy Holidays!

Doctor Who Levitating TARDISWe imagine that if The Doctor were stranded on Earth for a long period of time without his real TARDIS, he’d appreciate having a smaller model to play with and admire. It’s like being a kid (of any age!) and having a collection of matchbox cars. You may not have a real Maserati, but this miniature one sure is sweet! Zoom zoom! Oh wait, that’s the sound a Mazda makes. We’re obviously not experts in such things. Anyhoo, we think a TARDISless Doctor would really love this matchbox model of his time-traveling ride. The Levitating TARDIS uses the magic of magnets (how do they work?) to make the blue police box hover inside the black base unit. With a little practice, you can gently flick the TARDIS and set it spinning. The best part? We were so excited about this… go to the nearest vending machine and purchase a bag of Skittles. Use the Skittles to create an epic battle between the Doctor and the new Daleks! As each Dalek dies, toss it in your mouth and taste the rainbow. Delicious. Product Specifications TARDIS floats like magic in mid-air with the power of magnets Spin it around and it might travel through time Hack it to fix the chameleon circuit (hey, you can TRY…) Dimensions: approx. five inches tall Requires 6AA batteries (not included)

Doctor Who Dalek Projection ClockThere you are, cozy in your PJs dreaming about a new season of The Doctor, when it hits you – you are not alone. Looming out of the dark and nebulous reaches of reality you can hear them as they float towards you, giant toilet plunger manipulator appendages at the ready, gunsticks aimed for you. It’s them. They’re here. You run, but you can’t escape. Just as fear and panic put an icy grip on you, you sit bolt upright in bed, eyes glued to the ceiling, awake. You can still hear them. You can hear their hovering bodies approach, the sound of their gunsticks firing, that dreaded cry of “Exterminate!” Etched in glowing blue above your head is the time. Your alarm clock has done its job. Maybe the Red Shiny Robots of Vortis are a myth too. But for some of us, the constant threat of death by alien robots is what keeps us going from day to day. Start your day the Dalek way – because nothing wakes you like the threat of extermination! The Dalek Alarm Clock projects the time onto your ceiling and cycles through three sound effects – hover, exterminate, and gunstick – to try to wake you from your slumber. It’s the alarm clock Davros would use if he required an alarm clock. Product Specifications Cycles through three sound effects (hover, exterminate, and gunstick) Projects time onto your ceiling! Snoozes for ten minutes when depressed Speech indicators on head flash white Requires four AA batteries (included) Approximately 9.8″ x 5.1″

Doctor Who Ride-in DalekWhen we were kids, we wanted nothing more than Power Wheels. Or an ATV. But our moms said no because they are meanies. (Hi Moms. We really don’t mean this. Okay, we did mean it when we were five, but what did we know?) Once we get our hands on the TARDIS, we’re going to have The Doctor go back to the 80s, buy a Power Wheels car, and drop it off on our front doorstep with a bow and a little gift card. Then everything will be right with the world. Until then, we’ve found the ultimate thing for the wee geeks we love in the present time: the Doctor Who Ride-In Dalek. This Red Dalek is made from a mixture of ballistic nylon and laminated rubberized polyvinyl, which is soft to the touch but extremely durable and tear resistant. While it is inflatable, this is more the quality of a snow tube, not a beach ball. A 6v battery powered motor gives 360 degree steering and a maximum speed of nearly 2 mph! It won’t hover or fly up stairs, but hey, we’ll put in that suggestion for version 2.0. A soft bumper around the edge of the Dalek will protect your walls and furniture. The steering wheel has buttons which trigger ten authentic Dalek phrases so your wee geek can let people know that their extermination is at hand. And because we know you’ll ask, no, we haven’t found one in adult sizes yet. We’ll keep looking. NOTE: Because this is imported from the UK, it will require a UK outlet adapter (not included) to be able to charge in an outlet in the USA. Product Specifications For Ages 3 – 6 years old or small older kids Maximum weight: 65 lbs Ride-in Dalek lets your wee geek exterminate their foes Red Dalek body made of extremely durable and tear resistant nylon/polyvinyl 6v rechargeable battery powered motor 360 degree steering and a maximum speed of nearly 2 mph Flashing lights give an eerie Dalek technology glow 10 authentic Dalek phrases can be triggered on the steering wheel Soft bumper on the edges protects your walls and furniture Comes in 2 parts: motorized base and inflatable body section Easy to assemble, just over 4 feet tall when fully assemble. Unfortunately, it does not hover. We hope v. 2.0 does. We checked and no, it does not come in adult sizes. Sorry! NOTE: Because this is imported from the UK, it will require a UK outlet adapter (not included) to be able to charge in an outlet in the USA.

Doctor Who TARDIS 4 Port USB HubI seek audience with the ThinkGeek Consciousness under peaceful contract, according to Convention Fifteen of the Shadow Proclamation. This is the vehicle of the Time Lord. TARDIS, or Time And Relative Dimension In Space has its chameleon circuit broken, so it’s stuck looking like an old British Police box from Earth year zero-point-five-slash-apple-slash-five-zero, or 1950 by local reckoning. That, and it’s become a 4 port USB hub a mere 11 centimeters tall. This little blue box, really an immense multi-dimensional starship capable of ludicrous speeds, sits benignly on your desk, acting as a mere conduit of digital information for your computer. 480 megabits per second of data are shared amongst its four USB 2.0 ports along the base. Press the panel on the face, and the blue-glowing light pulsates and the Tardis’ engine fires up. Don’t worry, while the engine grinds away, we’ve time-locked the Tardis so it stays put – we don’t want any accidental paradoxes, thank you. It’s not every day you can have your own piece of the Untempered Schism right there on your desktop, so be careful how you use it. The Bad Wolf is watching. Features The official Doctor Who TARDIS Hub. A 4 port USB hub replicating the 1950s Police phonebox TARDIS from the show. A flashing lantern on the TARDIS’ roof. A time-travelling sound effect. The light and sound effects are triggered when a USB device is plugged into the port. Sound effects are optional and are controlled via an on/off switch. No software required. Suitable for both PCs and Mac. Suitable for ages 8 years+. TARDIS: 11 x 6 x 6cm USB Cable: 140cm.

Doctor Who: Stone Dalek Figure Set with Exclusive Underhenge Drone DalekIncluding Stone Dalek, Roman Auton, Stone Roman Auton, Amy Pond, Sontaran and a Drone Dalek.

The Brilliant Book of Doctor Who 2011Find out everything you need to know about the Eleventh Doctor’s first year in this lavish book.

Doctor Who: TARDIS Talking Cookie JarThe TARDIS Cookie Jar stands just under 11″ tall. This TARDIS features light and sound effects activated by either pushing down on the lamp or closing the lid.

Doctor Who Insider MagazineSatisfy your thirst for fascinating facts and behind-the-scenes stories about the phenomenally popular British sciencefiction series, from first Doctor William Hartnell in 1963, through 11th Doctor Matt Smith and beyond! In each issue: star interviews, character and monster guides, news, photographs, in-depth looks at the latest Doctor Who episodes, fold-out poster and more!

Doctor WHo: TARDIS iPhone4 CaseThis stylish and cool TARDIS hard cover is designed for the new iPhone 4.

Doctor Who: Pandorica Figure and CD CollectionThe Eleventh Doctor, trapped by an alliance of his greatest foes, was imprisoned with the mysterious artifact known as the Pandorica in the penultimate episode of the fifth season of Doctor Who . The Pandorica Action Figure and CD Collection brings fans detailed 5″ action figures from the fifth season, and comes with a special Doctor Who audio CD and interlocking CD tray. The figures include the fez-wearing Eleventh Doctor, Roman Auton, Angel Bob, Cyberman Pandorica Guard, Amy Pond and the Silurian Warrior .

Doctor Who: TARDIS PlaysetThis TARDIS Play set is a reproduction of the console room of the new Eleventh Doctor’s time machine. This will make any adventure with your 5″ action figures come to life!

Doctor Who: The Masters Fob WatchBased on the Masters Fob Watch from popular BBC TV show Doctor Who. Gallifreyan engraving covers the outside of the zinc alloy case which opens to display the polished face of this iconic time-piece which again is engraved with Gallifreyan symbols. The watch also has a built-in light, which illuminates the face with a blue glow.

Doctor Who: TARDIS HoodieFeel warm and look cool while you travel through time and space in intergalactic style. Zip-up grey sweatshirt with deep kangaroo pockets, drawstring hood and levitating TARDIS design.

Doctor Who: Series 1-4 plus Specials Collection Savings SetBuy all Four Series and the Specials Collection and save!

Doctor Who 2012 Wall CalendarTake daily delight in fabulous color photos of the eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) and his companions Amy, Rory and River Song. Scenes from their most exciting adventures in Series 5 and 6 will inspire and energize your new year.

Gift Guide: The Ultimate Doctor Who Holiday Gift Guide is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Do you have an Anglophile in your life? Speaking as the wife of a consummate Anglophile I know how tricky holiday shopping can be. This year why not get that special person a gift that cold be found under just about any Christmas tree in Britain? I have put together a short list of unique gifts sure to spark the love of Britain in any receiver. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Brown Betty Tea Pot

This is a wonderful Christmas gift that is sure to bring cheer to the recipient year round. I use my teapot on a regular basis and absolutely adore it. I received one of mine as a gift and lovingly think of the giver every time I use it.

Hunter’s Wellies

Not only are Hunter’s Wellies incredibly fashionable, but they are a really functional shoe as well. Jon bought me a pair of these exact boots almost three years ago and they are still going strong. I wear them year round, to garden, through the snow, and obviously through the rain. These are by far my favorite shoes.

England Jersey (Away Match)

This would make an awesome gift for any Anglophile in your life. Help them route for their favorite football team by wearing the team jersey proudly. You can also find the jersey in white (when England is playing at home).

Walkers Imported Scottish Pure Butter Assorted Shortbread Cookies

Do you want Santa to leave you extra presents this year? I know how to go about getting the jolly guy to do it, leave some of the heavenly cookies out for him. Walkers shortbread are so good they’re addictive. They melt in your mouth and go wonderfully with a hot cup of tea.

Bill Bryson’s Notes From A Small Island

By far the best book written about Britain in the past 30 years. This is the unofficial Anglophile bible.  This would make an awesome gift for anyone wanting learn about or already having a passion for the UK.

Shaun The Sheep

Shaun the sheep, from the critically acclaimed Wallace and Gromit is by far my favorite character. We introduced our son to the Shaun the Sheep cartoon series and he absolutely loved it. Santa will certainly be leaving a shivering Shaun the sheep for him!

Christmas Crackers

No Anglophile’s Christmas is complete without traditional Christmas crackers. We always share our around Christmas dinner and “pop” ours holding crossed arms. There are many types of crackers that will add to your holiday.

Love Actually

In the Anglotopia offices, this is the ultimate British holiday movie! We start every Christmas season off by watching this heart warming movie. Any lover of all things British will love this film.

British Music

There is lots of excellent British music out there. I am late to the Mumford & Sons fan group, but I absolutely adore this album.

A Trip To the UK

Want to give the ultimate gift to your favorite Anglophile? Why  not give them a plane ticket to the UK? I did this for the first Christmas Jon and I had as a married couple. I put a Union Jack flag in a box and taped the plane ticket to the inside of the box. I would suggest, like I did, pulling out the video camera for the opening of this gift.

A British Airways Plane Ticket

Christmas: Top Ten British Christmas Gifts for the Anglophile in Your Life From Amazon.com is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The Sweet History of York (working title) will celebrate the heritage of the chocolates and sweets made in the city. The attraction will tell the story of York’s confectionery trading and manufacturing past and take a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of the men and women who made the chocolates and sweets from the 19th to the 21st century. Favourite sweets expected to feature in the attraction will include Kit Kat and Terry’s Chocolate Orange.

The attraction will open in a three-storey building at the end of York’s famous Shambles, the street that in 2010 won Google’s Most Picturesque Street in Britain award.

Juliana Delaney, chief executive of Continuum who are developing the attraction, says: ‘York has had chocolate and confectionery at its heart for over 150 years. This is a tale as important as any to that of York and the UK’s industrial and cultural heritage, yet it remains untold until now. We are very much looking forward to bringing the story to life and have already received fantastic support for the project from Nestlé, the owners of Rowntree Mackintosh, and Terry’s owners Kraft.’

Sweet History of York is due to open in spring or early summer 2012, and will include a shop and a cafe. Daytime and early-evening tours and activities will be available for groups seven days a week.

York House, King’s Square, York
Tel: +44 845 498 9411
Website: www.sweethistoryofyork.com
Blog: sweethistoryofyork.blogspot.com

York’s sweet attraction – Classic British Candy is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Top British Chef Gordon Ramsay is now in your local Kmart with some branded kitchen gear and Kmart has released an amusing – and disturbing – ad for it.

Check it out below:

Browse the Gordon Gear here.

Gordon Ramsay Comes to Kmart – Video is a post from: Anglotopia.net

We polled our fans on Facebook as to whether or not they’d be interested in a weekly deals column related to Anglophile things and the vote was a resounding yes. So, as long as it’s popular, we’ll try to do a Weekly Anglophile Deals column (though next week we may not be able to as we’ll be at Dragon*Con).

So – this week we have news of a British Airways Sale, Some great deals on DVD’s on Amazon

Anglophile DVD Deals

Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray] - Great Series! – $31.49 (Save 69%!)

Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series - $25.49 (Save 68%)

Pride and Prejudice (Restored Edition) - The One with Colin Firth! – $14.99 (Save 62%!)

Last Chance Harvey - Decent London Movie – $6.44 (Save 57%)

Paul (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) - Hilarious Movie from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost – $21.99 (save 37%)

Anglophile Goods

Gorgeous Poster of London at Night just $6.99

London
Buy This Allposters.com

Walkers Cheese and Onion Crisps – 1.2 oz – 6 Pack - Yummy at just $4.29 for a six pack.

Walkers Shortbread Chocolate Chip Shortbread, 10.6-Ounce Which Hand? Tin - Just $12.12

Britain Magazine Subscription – 1 Year - Great price on a great Magazine – $29.95/year

British Airways Sale

Our friends at British Airways have released details on their latest fall sale which includes discounts on flights to Europe from the USA and also 2 nights free in a hotel.

Here are the details withs sample fares:

World Traveller economy roundtrip airfares begin at $552 between New York (JFK or Newark) and London.  Comparable airfares are available from all 20 British Airways’ US cities to European destinations such as London, Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Madrid, Prague and Amsterdam.  The offer also includes two free hotel nights at select three and four star hotels when purchasing roundtrip airfares between the US and London and select cities in Europe.

Fares are available for sale on www.ba.com/sale. through Monday midnight (EDT), Sep. 5, 2011 and are valid for travel Oct. 29, 2011 to Dec. 14, 2011 and Dec. 24, 2011 to Mar. 26, 2012.

• New York  (JFK and Newark)                                       $552            
• Boston                                                                                  $588
• Philadelphia                                                                       $662
• Washington, D.C., Baltimore                                       $662
• Miami, Orlando, Tampa                                                 $590
• Atlanta                                                                                 $738
• Chicago                                                                                $696
• Dallas/Ft. Worth                                                               $756
• Houston                                                                               $622
• Denver                                                                                 $712
• Phoenix                                                                               $774
• Los Angeles                                                                        $695
• San Diego, San Francisco                                               $704
• Seattle                                                                                  $780
• Las Vegas                                                                            $788

Book now on the British Airways Website

That’s it for our first week of Anglophiles deals – we hope you found something worth buying and we’re open to suggestions for items to feature in the future. If you’re a business and would like to offer a discount to our readers, email info@anglotopia.net for more info. Cheers!

Anglophile Deals: British Airways Sale, British Food, Magazine Deal, Great DVD Deals and MORE! is a post from: Anglotopia.net

When a bicycle craze swept across Europe and the United Kingdom back in the late 19th Century, it wasn’t too long before a few entrepreneurial Brits decided to stick a motor on those wheels and see what happened. The rest, as they say, is history. In this case, it’s a beautiful one.

During the ’50s and ’60s, the motorcycle industry was the third largest earner for Britain (after cars and whisky), and British bikes had an unrivaled reputation worldwide. These classic designs have become a part of our cultural history as well as our proud industrial past. Even if you’re not much of a bike fan, you’ll recognise many of these models because of their presence in movies and popular culture.

This post honours the ten best British bikes from that golden era.

1. Triumph Bonneville

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‘Triumph Bonneville’ actually refers to three bike designs from Triumph Engineering. The Bonneville part of the name comes from a famous place in the U.S., the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where motorcycles would compete for speed records. The T140 model won the prestigious Motor Cycle News Machine Of The Year award in 1979 and remains a popular classic to this day.

As for its cultural history, the Triumph Bonneville has quite the legacy. It has made central appearances in everything from An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) to Harry Potter (2010). As well as its notoriety on the silver screen, this bike is also popular on TV, most recently making appearances in CSI and Grey’s Anatomy.

2. Norton Commando

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Often regarded as one the last great bikes from British manufacturers, the Norton Commando won the coveted “Machine of the Year” award for five years straight (1968-1972). This bike is particularly famous for its revolutionary framework, known as the Isolastic System. Designed by an ex-Mercedes engineer, this innovation greatly reduced the engine vibrations that plagued so many other bike designs of the time.

Again, this timeless bike has had a great presence in the movies and on TV over the years. It has had a starring role in British classics such as Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Midsomer Murders.

3. Royal Enfield Bullet

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The Royal Enfield Bullet has earned the proud title of motorcycle with the longest production run. It has been in constant assembly since the heady days of great British motorcycles back in 1948. The latest model dates to 2007 when a new set of engines were introduced.

This bike doesn’t have quite the cultural legacy of those featured above, but it has had a couple of recent appearances in the blockbusters Friday the 13th and Big Fish.

4. BSA A65 Star

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With a top speed of 100 miles per hour, this model gained its popularity in the U.S. market, where it competed successfully with established Triumph models and new Japanese bikes. In fact, by the end of the ’60s, BSA bikes were responsible for the vast majority of British exports to the U.S. and the rest of the world.

However, perhaps because of its slightly dated look, the BSA A65 Star didn’t really make it into contemporary films and TV shows, and is therefore a surprising absence in our cultural history.

5. Vincent Black Shadow

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A true British classic, the Vincent Black Shadow was a hand-assembled creation with only 1,700 ever made. Its signature feature resides in the name ‘black shadow’; contrary to popular chrome designs of the time, this bike was black all over, from the engine to the crank-case.

Today, the Vincent Black Shadow is probably best known as a favourite on the popular TV show Top Gear. It was also a firm feature in the TV classic Inspector Morse.

6. Velocette Viper

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Veloce Ltd, a small, family-run Birmingham company that managed to compete with the British motorcycle giants such as Norton and Triumph, produced the Velocette Viper. Although a beautiful and well-designed bike, the Viper struggled to stay popular in a fast-paced industry. Veloce Ltd, famous for its innovative practices, remodeled the bike with glass fibre enclosure panels – one of the first of its kind.

Although this brand of bikes doesn’t have much of a screen presence, they do hold the infamous and unbeaten record of 24 hours at 100 mph!

7. Matchless Silver Hawk

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An early bike, the Matchless Silver Hawk was designed back in the 1930s and made its debut at the legendary Olympia Motor Cycle Show in 1930. Described by its manufacturers as “unquestionably the most fascinating machine to ride that has ever been built,” this bike was one of two four-cylinder luxury rides introduced at that show.

It was a wonderful bike but, sadly, the ’30s weren’t a great time for selling extravagant items. Although it had a loyal following and remains a popular classic to this day, the Silver Hawk didn’t do too well in terms of actual sales and was dropped from production just four years later.

8. Ariel 350 W/NG

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Today, the Ariel W/NG 350 is best known as a British military motorcycle. However, that reputation was only won after its widespread use for evacuations at Dunkirk; previously, the War Office had described the bike as “fair – for use only in emergency purposes”!

However, military versions of the bike are hard to find today as most of those that were used were then converted back to civilian vehicles and resold.

The W/NG has made one recent notable screen appearance, alongside a sidecar in the popular children’s film Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang.

9. Triumph Trident

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Co-produced by Triumph and BSA, the Trident is also commonly known as the Rocket3. This bike is well-loved because of its legacy as the first of the modern super-bikes, but, as the last new Triumph model, this design also heralded the passing of this great British company.

The Trident/Rocket3 was produced for seven years, from ’68 to ‘75, but eventually failed to capture the market, mainly because of an influx of Honda Goldwings from Japan.

10. Norton Manx

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A true racing bike, the Norton Manx is famous for its successes in the notorious competition, the Isle of Man TT. The Norton Manx was in attendance from 1907 (the first year of the race), through to the 1970s, but that’s not the end of the story. This is still one of the most popular classic racing bikes around today, and you won’t have to look too hard to pick up a working example.

Guest Post: Top 10 Classic British Motorcycles – Best Old Brit Motorbikes is a post from: Anglotopia.net

File this under “way cool.”

It only costs $5.95, and you can buy it at the Neatoshop.

The Beatles: Yellow Submarine Cookie Cutter is a post from: Anglotopia.net

I have a secret inside me.

It’s a big one.

I have this huge urge to climb the mountains and hills of Britain. I’ve seen lots of shows about it – and the idea of hiking through the Cumbrian Mountains or the Scottish Highlands just has romantic fun written all over it.

That’s why I was delighted to be sent an interesting new book called “Granite and Grit: A Walker’s Guide to the Geology of British Mountains.”

You see, I can’t exactly spend my time hiking through British mountains, as I’m stuck here in cold and snowy Chicago. But with this book, I can be temporarily transported to all the mountain walking Britain has to offer.

It’s a big book – with lots of colorful pictures and infographics. Perfect for browsing and finding interesting information about British mountains. The book guides you through all of Britain’s different mountain types as well as rock types, with ample pictures and illustrations.

This book differs greatly from a typical book about Britain’s hills and mountains – this is not a walking guidebook, this is something else entirely. Something to read before you set out on a walk or something to read after you’ve returned and you’ve got questions about what you saw.

If you can’t climb any British mountains, it’s a great armchair travel guide with practical, scientific information about Britain’s Geology.

Granite and Grit: A Walker’s Guide to the Geology of British Mountains comes out February 1st.

Anglophile Reviews: Granite and Grit – A Walker’s Guide to the Geology of the British Mountains is a post from: Anglotopia.net

One of the perks of running this site is that I get sent cool British stuff all the time. The latest book to hit my desk is the fun and simple London Quiz book.

It’s premise is simple, it’s a book filled with 400 trivia questions about London.

Think you know London better than any other Anglophiles, one thumb through this book will show how much you have to learn.

The book is filled with interesting questions and facts – some strange, some funny and many more enlightening.

London Quiz is laid out very well with colorful London Art through the pages as well as simple and clear questions, along with the answers. It’s very easy to find a question and then look up the corresponding answer in the book.

If you’re planning a London Trivia party – then this is certainly the book you need. It’s also excellent bathroom reading.

Anglophile Reviews: The London Quiz Book is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post from one of our fabulous Advertisers, Red Cloak – Arts and Crafts from Northern England.

Who or what is red cloak? Red Cloak is a business that was established to search out the very best products that reflect the North of England’s long and rich artistic history.

The name is derived from an ancient ancestor called Willie “Red Cloak” Bell who was famous for wearing a red cloak! Other influences can be traced much further back than the late Middle Ages to the golden age of the Kingdom of Northumbria. This was the period around the 6th century when the artistic traditions of the Anglo Saxons and the Celtic merged to form the artistic tradition that gave us the great monastic communities that produced illuminated manuscripts such as the Lindisfarne Gospel.

The aim from the start was to purchase directly from, artisans whose work is either made, designed or influenced by the North of England and show the world that British design is not just about Red buses and telephone boxes. This has been achieved through an extensive search around the UK to find the very best suppliers. This search goes from the far South West of England to the hills of the North Pennines.

Check out our selection of great products on our website.

Guest Post: The Very Best Arts and Crafts of the English North is a post from: Anglotopia.net

I won’t lie – I’ve never met a cake I didn’t like. I particularly love the process of baking a cake at home and then enjoying all it’s fruitful deliciousness.

That being said. This iPhone app will have a happy home in the Thomas household. The BBC Good Food Magazine has put out an iPhone app dedicated completely to delicious cake recipes.

From the description:

Chocolatey, lemony, fruity, gooey… it’s time to get elbow-deep in a BBC Good Food cake mix!

There are over 175 cakes and bakes in our app, from sumptuous celebration cakes, to gluten-free cakes for those with special dietary needs. You’ll also find super-simple ‘stir-it-up’ cakes – that are easy enough for even the most nervous baker.

As ever, all our recipes are triple-tested by the Good Food cookery team, to help make sure they work first time for you.

Novice bakers will find our advice on common baking problems reassuring. There are plenty of top tips to help you get the perfect bake, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions, such as, why didn’t my cake rise?

As with all our apps, each recipe includes nutritional information on kcals, protein, carbs, fat, saturated fat, fibre, sugar and salt per serving.

You can switch between metric and imperial measurements on all recipes, depending on your location and preference.

The BBC Good Food Cake iPhone app costs a reasonable $2.99. It’s perfect of the upcoming holidays!

Click here to buy it:

Delicious iPhone App: The BBC Good Good Recipe iPhone App is a post from: Anglotopia.net

I’m definitely going to load this onto my iPhone on my next trip to Britain – it’s a directory of over 3,700 Fish and Chip shops throughout the UK.

Where they are, where to find them and how to contact them.

It’s a simple little app and it’s a great example of a useful iPhone app that’s low on features, but filled with useful information.

Best of all – all the information is in the app, so you don’t need to use the data network to access the info. Great if you’re traveling and don’t want to get whacked with data roaming fees when the need for fish and chips arises.

The app only costs $.99.

Click below to buy it:

Find Your Local Chippie – Fish and Chip iPhone App is a post from: Anglotopia.net

The recent release of Doctor Who series 5 with Matt Smith and Karen Gillan on DVD has some interesting extras – not least some deleted scenes that didn’t make it into the show – and after watching these two clips – I’m not sure why they didn’t make it into the show.

The first is the scene that takes places right after Amy Pond tackled the Doctor and attempted to get into his pants – and the Doctor awkwardly explains that there were girls before and that he’s not interested in them in ‘that’ way and that he’s a sort of  a ‘space Gandalf.’ Why this wasn’t in the episode is beyond me.

This second clip – it’s clearer why the deleted it because it covers may things that most Doctor Who fans would already know. Amy asks a ton of questions about the nature of the TARDIS and the Doctor explains why it always looks like a Police Box. It’s fun though!

The Doctor Who series 6 DVD set came out on Tuesday and is available from the BBC America Shop:

Doctor Who: Series 5 Matt Smith and Karen Gillan star as the new Doctor and his companion as Doctor Who returns to DVD and Blu-ray. After his explosive regeneration, the Eleventh Doctor awakes to discover his TARDIS is about to crash! After falling from the sky, he pulls himself out of the wreckage to come face-to-face with young Amy Pond.

Doctor Who: Fun Deleted Scenes from the Doctor Who DVD Release is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Editor’s Note: The following is an excellent guest post about the top 5 British cars to appear in film!

Jaguar E-Type – Austin Powers

Groovy baby! The Shaguar was an idea that was filled with so much genius even Einstein would have been proud. Take an aging British Jaguar E-Type, drench it in a paintjob even the Queen would feel too patriotic in and then let a sex-crazed British spy drive it in the incredibly successful Austin Powers films – what a recipe. It worked, too. Jaguar enjoyed success off the back of its Britishness in the film. Yeaaaah baby!

MINI Cooper S – The Italian Job

Michael Caine is a legend. The MINI Cooper is a legend. The Italian Job is a legend of film. Put them all together and what do you get? A legend so legendary that Mr. Legendary of Legendville would feel his legend isnít legendary enough. Confused? Letís make this simple, then. The MINI would forever be remembered as the car that helped this film become the icon it is. If Caineís east-end accent wasnít enough, the looks and sound of the British MINI ensured The Italian Job would be a success for generations to come.

Aston Martin DB5 – Thunderball and Goldfinger

Immortalised by Sean Connery’s James Bond in the 1960s, the Aston Martin DB5 is the perfect British car in the perfect British film franchise. Bond has driven quite a few different marques over the past few decades, but few compare to the Aston Martin DB5. The impact the car made was so big that if you fancy one, youíll need around £100,000 and the patience of a saint ñ it will break down, a lot. But let’s be honest, it would be worth it just for the neighbours’ flickering curtains.

TVR Tuscan – Swordfish

TVR might not be with us anymore, and even during the mid-2000s it was owned by a Russian billionaire, but Blackpool’s finest export has always been a model of British engineering. The brand was known worldwide for its quintessentially British curves and sports car agility. The manufacturer received a boost in popularity when the makers of the film Swordfish decided the Tuscan was the coolest car on the planet and subsequently ordered two for the film – not a bad co-sign, especially when John Travolta is firing Uzi guns out of it.

Lotus Esprit S1 – The Spy Who Loved Me

British engineering, white paint work, James Bond and the ability to drive underwater ñ it was always going to work, wasnít it? The Lotus Esprit S1 was the perfect car for The Spy Who Loved Me. The 70s provided us with the colour brown, terrible wallpaper and, thankfully, the Esprit driven by Roger Moore – what more do you want? It represented the best of British and is still considered to be one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.

This is a guest blog post on behalf of Carfinance247.co.uk. Whether you are looking to finance a classic car or something more modern then Carfinance247 car finance consultants will be able to help you.

Guest Post: Top 5 British Cars in Film – Best Classic British Movie Cars is a post from: Anglotopia.net

I’m a little behind in getting this news out – but our friends at Visit Britain are having a contest to win your own replica Red Telephone box.

Here are the details:

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the red telephone box, VisitBritain the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales is launching the Great British Telephone Box Giveaway atwww.visitbritain.us/phonebox.

The red telephone box was designed in 1935 by English architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to honor the silver jubilee of King George V. Dubbed K6 – Kiosk Number 6 – the telephone box has become an iconic symbol of British culture. Several of these distinctive telephone boxes have even been installed outside of Britain – from Mississippi to Malta.

Beginning today, VisitBritain is in search of the most creative uses of a telephone box. What would you do with a red telephone box of your own? A British pub, greenhouse or a “loo” (as the Brits call it). VisitBritain challenges people to think outside of the box. The quirkier, the better.

To enter, log on to www.visitbritain.us/phonebox and explain in 50 words what you would do with a British Telephone Box. The entrant with the most creative use will win their very own phone box. To make your design stand out above the rest, candidates can send an email to britainyourway@visitbritain.org. with an image or diagram showcasing the design. The replica is 3′ X 3′ x 7.5′ and weighs 330 lbs.

Sounds awesome! I can’t wait to enter!

Anglophile Alert: Win Your Own British Telephone Box from Visit Britain is a post from: Anglotopia.net

During our recent trip to London, I had the opportunity to review an Apple iPad thanks to the good graces of Golden Technologies in Valparaiso, Indiana.

My review went live last week.

Here’s an excerpt:

By far the most impressive feature of the iPad was how long the battery lasts. I used it pretty heavily and it lasted for 3 days on one charge. I wish they could apply the same battery technology to the iPhone! The only downside of the battery lasting forever, is that it also takes a really long time for it to charge. Sometimes charging overnight wasn’t enough to get a full charge.

The iPad isn’t quite as portable as I’d hoped. I didn’t feel like it was a safe form factor to cart around London with me as I went from meeting to meeting. So, it stayed safe in the flat. I didn’t want it to get nicked or broken!

I know I already said it once – but the screen on the iPad is amazing to look at. Since I was actually in the UK, I was able to watch the BBC iPlayer and it looked amazing optimized for the iPad. Our flat didn’t have a TV so it was a great way to keep up with our favorite shows. And the nice thing is that since the screen is so big, we propped it up on a table like a TV and sat on the ouch and watched it. Brilliant.

Read the rest of the review here.

Anglophile Reviews: Check Out Our Review of the Apple iPad in London is a post from: Anglotopia.net

It’s no secret that the Brits get a lot of great stuff before we do in the USA (and it’s true in the reverse as well). Thanks to the wonders of the internet though, if you’re willing to pay a little more, you can get any book, CD or DVD that has come out in the UK via Amazon UK.

I’ve generally avoided this as I thought it was cost prohibitive, but I recently discovered that’s it’s actually not that bad as far a pricing goes. Especially since the US/Pound Conversion rate is down to $1.45 – the lowest it has been in years!

Bill Bryson has a new book our called At Home – he’s one of my favorite authors and I was excited to learn he had a new book coming out. The only problem is that it’s not coming out in the USA until October! It was released last week in the UK. I’m a fan of audiobooks, so I set out to buy the audio version of At Home to listen to on my commute. I ended up buying more than that and this is what I learned.

1. Prices are comparable to the US prices – but you are still paying a premium when you factor in shipping.
2. Those who order in the USA are exempt from VAT (sales tax), they don’t tell you that until you checkout. You can actually subtract 17.5% from the price of anything at Amazon UK and that will be the price that you pay. They’ll give you the final price at Checkout.
3. Shipping is pretty reasonable – I paid about $25 for shipping and I’ll get the items sometime next week. This is a lot to pay for shipping but I bought 5 items, none of which are available in the USA so it’s worth it to me.
4. Amazon UK will actually let you place your order in US Dollars – they’ll convert everything from Pounds to Dollars – this will save you extra fees on your credit card (who will charge for conversion) and you’ll get a better conversion rate.
5. I would not recommend buying UK DVD’s unless you have a Region Free DVD player or know how region coding works. However, if you can play UK DVD’s, then you’ll find a lot of UK TV shows are MUCH cheaper even with the added cost of shipping.
6. Some books are dirt cheap! I picked up two books that cost only £4 a piece! A hardcover of Bill Bryson’s At Home was only £9! I got a little carried away and bought more than I should have!

I can’t wait to get my new items – I’ll have a review of Bryson’s new book once I’ve had a chance to listen to it. There may be other sources for Books, CD’s and DVD’s from the UK – please let us know about them in the comments!

Happy Shopping!

Anglophile Guide to Ordering From Amazon UK – Ordering From the USA is a post from: Anglotopia.net

Bill Bryson is one of my favorite authors. I admire him greatly as he is pretty much living the Anglophile dream. He’s made a life for himself in the UK, becoming one of their most treasured writers. It’s been a couple years since his last book – but he’s been working on At Home, which was just released last week in the UK (it comes out in the USA this fall).

At Home is about the home. Starting in his old Rectory in Norfolk, England, Bryson goes through every room in the home charting the unknown and interesting history of everything in our homes.

He’s been making the publicity rounds and there’s a lot of links to there.

Bill Bryson: The secret life of your home – From the Guardian, this is a summary with excerpts from his new book.

Bill Bryson: the history of the toilet – Another Excerpt From the Guardian about the history of the Toilet.

Bill Bryson: The story of the electric light – Another Excerpt from the Guardian, this time about the history of the lightbulb.

At Home – Audio Extract and Interview - The Sunday Times have an excerpt from the Audio version of At Home and they also have a great interview with Bryson. You have to register for a free account (free for 30 days) to the Times to view it, unfortunately.

Video Interview Hay Festival – Bryson made an appearance at the Hay Literary Festival this past weekend and was interviewed about the prospect of taking British Citizenship. You can view a clip of it here. Also, in this writeup – he lets us all know that he will be rooting for England in the World Cup, not the USA.

Here’s a cute trailer for At Home:

You can buy At Home Now from Amazon UK or you can wait until the fall when it will be released in the USA on October 5th 2010.

Details on Bill Bryson’s Latest Book: At Home – Interviews, Videos and Excerpts Inside is a post from: Anglotopia.net